Become a Tutor

Looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity? Become a Literacy Tutor!
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Help an adult improve their reading or English-language skills by becoming a volunteer literacy tutor. Tutors make a volunteer commitment of two hours per week.

​Your commitment:
Tutors make a minimum commitment of two hours per week with their student, and meet their student in a public location at a time convenient to the pair. Tutors specify the days and times of day that they are available; tutors can request what type of student they wish to work with (beginner or more advanced, etc.). Tutors should also count on time for weekly lesson preparation, filling out monthly tutor timesheets and twice-yearly student progress surveys, and attending occasional tutor “continuing education” sessions or social gatherings. Tutors are needed for weekday morning, weekday afternoon, evening, and weekend sessions. We match you with a student who is available when you’re available!​
​Tutor Training:
Literacy tutors take a free, full-day training provided by the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy (NMCL). After training in either Basic Literacy or English-as-a-Second-Language tutoring techniques, tutors are matched with an adult student. The student-tutor team maps out specific short- and long-term goals set by the student. RAALP provides books, learning materials, and on-going tutor support.​
Tutor Support includes:
  • helping select books and educational materials for your student
  • following up with you and your student
  • tutor continuing education sessions
  • tutor gatherings to connect with fellow RAALP tutors
  • opportunity to attend annual New Mexico Coalition for Literacy conference and connect with other adult literacy tutors, students, and staff from around the state
  • staff and more experienced tutors are available to discuss progress and concerns
Your student’s goals might include:
  • attaining High School equivalency certification (GED)
  • understanding prescription medication labels
  • getting a driver’s license
  • reading to children or grandchildren
  • taking the citizenship test
  • registering to vote
Basic Literacy (BL) Program:
In our Basic Literacy program, tutors teach adult students the fundamentals of reading and writing.

Our Basic Literacy tutor training is certified through ProLiteracy and consists of a full day (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) training, plus an orientation and a follow-up session.

​Literacy instruction involves all language components: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Using VAKT (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile) methods, and hands-on role-playing activities, you will learn effective strategies for teaching adults to acquire literacy skills. Due to the intense nature of this training, attendance is required at all sessions. Ruth Johnson Colvin’s classic text Tutor: A Collaborative, Leaner-Centered Approach to Literacy Instruction for Teens and Adults is the companion material to the training course.
English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) Program:
In our English-as-a-Second-Language program, tutors work with adult students who are learning the fundamentals of speaking, reading and writing in English.

Our English-as-a-Second-Language tutor training is certified through ProLiteracy and consists of a full day (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) training, plus an orientation and a follow-up session.
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English-as-a-Second-Language tutor instruction involves all language components: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Using VAKT (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile) methods, and hands-on role-playing activities, you will learn effective strategies for teaching spoken and written English to native speakers of other languages.  Due to the intense nature of this training, attendance is required at all sessions. Ruth Johnson Colvin’s text I Speak English: A Guide to Teaching Adult English Language Learners is the companion material to the training course.

It is NOT necessary to speak a foreign language in order to be an ESL tutor.